Cleaning apparatus for looms

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning looms and other textile machinery by the use of rapidly pulsed, high velocity air jets.

United States Patentv [72] Inventors Hamlin Joseph Gleaton;

Bobby Lee Johnson, Greenville, S.C. [21 Appl. No. 744,060 [22] FiledJuly 11, 1968 [45] Patented Mar. 23, 1971 [73] Assignee Eaton, Yale &Towne Inc.

[54] CLEANING APPARATUS FOR LOOMS i 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 15/312, 15/404, 15/405, l34/37 [51 Int. Cl. B08b 5/02 [50]Field oiSearch 134/37,2l;

15/301, 312, 404, 405, 312.1 (inquired); 57/56 [5 6] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,981,644 4/1961 Fain 134/37 illll 11IVIAI'I|V|VIIIIIII@ 'lmullirlli 3,304,570 2/1967 Seress et a1. 15/3123,375,539 4/1968 Loepsinger..... 15/312 3,422,481 l/1969 Black l5/3 l 23,440,097 4/1969 Gleaton 134/37 3,486,184 12/1969 King 15/404X FOREIGNPATENTS 681,113 10/1952 Great Britain 15/304 695,643 8/ 1953 GreatBritain 15/404 Primary Examiner-Joseph Scovronek Assistant Examiner-D.G. Millman Attorneys-Joseph R. Teagno, Clayton J. Toddy, Leslie H.

Blair, Thomas A. Lisle, Ramon D. Foltz, Robert J. McCloskey and KennethG. Preston, Jr.

ABSTRACT: Apparatus for cleaning looms and other textile machinery bythe use of rapidly pulsed, high velocity air jets.

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sum 2 OF a I30 INVENTOR. 4 HAMLIN J- GLEATON BYBOBBY LEE JOHNSON 7% 4Body ATTORN EYS PATENTED M23 l97| SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTOR. HAMLlN J.GLEATON BY BOBBY LEE JOHNSON ATTORNEYS INVENTOR. HAMLIN J- GLEATON BYBOBBY LEE JOHNSON Mega, 7114 a Bad;

ATTORNEYS PATENTED MARZS l9?! sum w 0F &

FIG. 5

F l G. 7

cleaning textile machinery.

Chlilfiibllhlfi APEPARATUS Milli rooms 'll e present invention isdirected toward the cleaning art and more particularly, to an improvedmethod and apparatus The invention is especially suited for use incleaning looms and will be described with particular reference thereto;how ever, it will be appreciated the invention is capable of broaderapplication and could be utilized for cleaning a variety of dif i'crenttextile machines, such as spinning machines and the lilte.

in the art of cleaning textile machinery such as looms, it has been thepractice to utilize blower units on overhead tracltways or travelingcranes and arranged to traverse longitudinally of rows of looms anddirect air streams or jets downwardly agminst the various parts of thelooms. Generally, the most successful of the cleaning units haveutilized oscillator rotating continuous air jets of relatively highvelocity. For example, one of the most successful units is disclosed inUS. Pat. No. 2,798,825 to De V. Miller et al. The unit disclosed in thepatent produces oscillating air streams having velocities as high as2,800 fpm and higher. Subsequent workers in the art have proposed unitsof the same general nature producing various air velocities and airstream diameters, as well w, differing patterns of air stream movement.In general, these subsequent units have been capable of effectivelyremoving lint, etc. from the looms. llowever, none of the units havebeen capable of achieving the degree of cleaning which is desirable.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for cleaningtextile machinery to a degree heretofore unobtainable. The inventivemethod and apparatus produce an air stream pulsing" and scrubbing actionwhich has proven especially effective in dislodging lint and fiberparticles. Further, the improved cleaning ability is achieved withlittle or no increase in eouiprnent or operational cost.

in accordance with one aspect of the invention an improved method ofcleaning textile machinery is provided which includes steps of: creatingat lemt one air stream having a velocity above L000 f.p.m.; directingthe air stream downwardly against a subjacent textile machine while,simultanwusly, moving the stream in directions transverse of saidmachine; and, periodically, interrupting the air stream for brief,closely spaced time periods to produce impingement of Another object isthe provision of a traveling loom cleaner which is capable of producinghigh velocity, pulsed air jets.

A still further object is the provision of a method for cleaning loomswhich produces an air scrubbing" action against the exposed loomportions.

Yet another object is the provision of an apparatus of the typedescribed which is simple to build and operate.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the followingdescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FlG. l is a side elevational view, somewhat diagrammatic,

- showing a preferred embodiment of a cleaning apparatus formed inaccordance with the invention and associated with a subjacent row oflooms;

Fit). 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of H6. 1;

Fit). 3 is an enlarged view, partially in section, of the cleaningapparatus shown in FIG. l;

l lG. is a cross-sectional view taken on line M of H6. 3;

FlG. 5 is a left end elevational view, partially in section, of theapparatus shown in FIG. 3;

H6. s is a front elevational view, partially in section, of a modifiedform of cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with a second embodimentof the invention; and,

P16. 7 is a left end elevatlonal view of the apparatus shown in FlG. s.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein the showings arefor the purpose of illustrating a preferred em bodiment of the inventiononly and not for the purpose of limiting same, H6. 1 shows a typicalinstallation of a cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with thepresent invention.

Specifically, PEG. 1 shows an end elevation of a row of looms A overwhich a traveling crane or bridge E extends transversely to the row andtransverses in a longitudinal direction in the manner such as shown inUS. Pat. No. 2,812,25l to De V. Miller et al. Suspended from thetraveling crane B is an improved cleaning apparatus C formed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Normally, any weaving loom includes a plurality of parallel rows oflooms A and, for this reason, the cleaning apparatus C is preferablyarranged so that it can be indexed longitudinally of the crane B so asto be capable of selectively cleaning any row of looms. Alternately, itis to be understood that a air stream against said machine in discretehigh velocity Separate cleaning apparatus C could be pmvded for h row pmmy -g, puffs of looms or, alternately, that the apparatus could becarried on in accordance with a more limited aspect, the air stream is agmgle. warhead. f i extendmg longlwdmany of the interrupted at a rate inthe range above 30 cycles per minute. [00m as conwmlqnn m m3 l I inaccordance with another aspect, improved apparatus i Although aspreviously mentioned, the particular construe provided for cleaningtextile machinery. The apparatus inand arrangement of me 100mg form pailof the Present eludes: means for generating a source of air undersubstantial pressure; nozzle means adapted for positioning above themachine and connected with the source of air and arranged to direct anairstream having a velocity above 1,000 f.p.m. downwardly against themachine; and, power means for con- 5 tinuously moving the nozzle meansin directions transversely of the machine while simultaneouslyinterrupting the flow of air out of said nozzle means for brief closelyspaced time periods to produce impingement of the air stream against themachine in discrete high velocity transversely moving puffs.

by providing the above-noted interrupted or puffed air streams it hasbeen found that the air stream engages the machine with a scrubbing"action which readily dislodges substantially all fiber and lintparticles. The air stream velocity and the number of puffs per minutecan vary over the substantial ranges however, velocities in a range from3,000 to as high as 20,000 fpm, and pulsations in a range between 60 to1,000

minute are believed to produce the best results. Additionally, as can beappreciated, the cross-sectional area of the stream can be variedsubstantially, bearing in mind such 7 ltnown factors as limitations interms of air stream impact on loom stop motion mechanisms.

Accordingly, a primary object is the provision of an improved method andapparatus for cleaning textile machinery by the use of high velocity,rapidly pulsed, air jets.

invention, merely for the purpose of future discussion it is noted thatthe looms A are shown with their cloth and warp beams l0 positioned tothe right, and with l2 indicating the arch of the loom.

in the embodiment shown, the cleaning apparatus C is arranged totraverse parallel to the arch l2 and is supported from the overheadcrane or bridge B by two sets of trolley wheels ld which are connectedthrough downwardly extending frame members to to a horizontallyextending frame lb. The actual construction of the support frame is notof importance to the invention and could be constructed in any mannerproviding the necessary rigidity. in order to permit the frame id to betraversed longitudinally of the beam or crane B a frictional drive wheel20 is supported in engagement with the undersurface of the crane B by asupport member 22 extending upwardly from frame id. The wheel 20 isselectively rotated to drive the frame 10 along the beam by a reversibleelectric motor and gear reducer wait 2 supported from frame l0 anddrivingly connected with wheel 20 through a belt (lbviously, motor unit2% can be controlled either manually or automatically.

The cleaning apparatus C is suitably supported from the frame 10 and, asbest shown in FlGS. 3 and b, includes a main blower housing which isshown as being of generally rectangular shape and formed from sheetmetal or other suita ble material. in particular the housing 20 includesa horizontally extending lower wall 30, sidewalls 32 and 34 and ahorizontally extending top wall 36. The opposite ends of the housing 28are closed by vertically extending end walls 38 and 60. The housing 28forms a blower chamber 44. Positioned within the chamber 44 areconventional elongated radial flow fans or blowers 58 and 50,respectively. Blowers 48 and 50 are supported for independent rotationfrom respective sets of bearings 52, 53 and 54, 55 which are carried bythe end walls 38 and 40.

Each of the blowers 48 and 50 are separately driven by motors 56 and 58,respectively, which are mounted on the top wa l 36 of the blower housing28. As shown, the motor 56 is drivingly connected through pulley 60,belt 62, and pulley 64 with the drive shaft of the blower 48 whereas,motor 58 is similarly connected through a pulley 66, belt 68 and pulley70 with the drive shaft of blower 50. Each of the blowers are providedwith separate air intake openings formed in the respective end walls 38and 40. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, it is seen that the air intakeopenings 74 for blower 48 is formed in end wall 33 and axially alignedwith the blower. Although not shown, a similar opening is formed in endwall 40 to provide an air intake for blower 50.

Conventional scroll-type ducting is provided about each of the blowerst8 and 50 and arranged to direct the air to respective outlet openings78 and 80. Outlet openings 78 and 80 connect with a plenum chamber 82which is formed by a continuation of the top wall 36 and a verticalfront wall 84 outwardly spaced from the sidewall 34. internal ducting,best shown in FIG. 3, is provided within the chamber 82 and supplies theair to two separate air plenums 86 and 88 fonned within chamber 82 by atop wall 90, a bottom wall 92 and an intermediate partition wall 94.

Depending from the lower wall 92 of the chambers 86, 88 are two sets ofair supply tubes 96 and 98. in the embodiment shown, there are providedthree separate tubes in each of the groups 96, 98; however, as willbecome apparent the precise number of tubes in each group is not ofimportance and would depend upon the particular type of machine beingcleaned. Each of the tubes in the two groups are substantially identicalin construction and, as shown, include a short comparatively rigidcylindrical section 100 which is directly connected to the wall 92 andin communication with respective ones of the chambers 86 and 88. Aflexible member 102, for example, a bellows or fabric tube, is connectedto the lower end of each of the tube sections 100 in any convenientmanner such as by the use of adhesive or ring clamps not shown. A secondelongated tube 104 is similarly connected to the lower end of each ofthe flexible members 102. Each of the tubes 104 are provided with anoutlet nozzle 106 at their lower end. The actual shape of the outletnozzles 106 is not of importance to the invention; however, they areshown as being of truncated cone configuration. As will hereafter becomeapparent, this is ad vantageous in that the nozzle outlet orifices 108can be enlarged to meet the needs of any particular installation simplyby cutting off a portion of the lower end of the nozzle.

in accordance with the method aspect of the invention, the nozzles arepreferably sized so as to produce relatively fine air outlet streams orjets. Preferably, the nozzles have a cross-sectional outlet area in therange of around 1 and r zsquare inches. This outlet area can varysubstantially; however, the area of the nozzles should be related to theoutput of the blower units such that the air stream has a velocity offrom above 1,000 feet per minute to upwards of 20,000 feet per minute.Additionally, the tubes 104 are preferably arranged so that the nozzlesare in the range of between 4 and 12 inches above the loom as viewed inFIG. 1, with the preferred range being approximately 6 to 8 inches.

Preferably, according to the invention the cleaning apparatus C is movedlongitudinally of the row of looms (i.e., in a direction perpendicularto the plane of the drawing as viewed in FIG. 1) at a rate in the rangeof 30 to 100 feet per minute. Simultaneously therewith, the nozzles aregiven a component of movement transverse of the looms, that is, indirections transverse of the path of movement of the cleaning apparatus.Although this component motion can be produced by either an oscillationor rotation of the nozzles, in the preferred embodiment it is preferablyan oscillatory motion in a relatively limited range of up toapproximately 20 from the vertical. For this reason, the cleaningapparatus C is provided with means for oscillating all of the tubes 104and their respective nozzles 106 simultaneously throughout an adjustablerange. Although in the method aspects of the invention this oscillationcould be produced by any type of drive mechanism or even manually, thepreferred manner of oscillating the tubes comprises an electric motorand gear reducer unit 110 which is suitably supported from the lowerwall 92 of the chambers 86, $8. The output shaft of the unit 110 extendsdownwardly and is connected to a crank arm 112. Connected to crank arm112 and extending downwardly therefrom is a pivot pin 114. Ahorizontally extending rod 116 is slidably supported in a pair ofdepending brackets 118 carried, for example, from the motor housing. Rod116 is connected through small blocks 120 and pivot pins 122 with eachof the tubes 10%. Accordingly, reciprocation of the rod 116 causes thetubes 104 and nozzles 106 to be oscillated in a direction perpendicularto the path of movement of the cleaning unit C. The drive connectionbetween the rod 116 and the crank disc 112 comprises a scotch yoke-typemechanism including a yoke member 124 connected in rod 116 and having anelongated opening extending therethrough which receives the crank pin114. Preferably, as previously noted, the crank 112 and pin 114 arearranged to produce an oscillation of the tubes of about 20 from thevertical.

Of major importance to the present invention is the previously mentionedpuffing" or pulsing of the air jets exiting from the noules 106.Preferably, the puffing is accomplished by completely stopping air flowthrough the nozzles for discrete, closely spaced time intervals. Thisproduces distinct, sharp and closely spaced air puffs which areespecially advantageous for loosening and removing lint or fiberparticles. Although many different structures can be utilized forproducing the required interruption of air flow through the nozzles 106,in the embodiment under consideration, the valving or air flowinterruption is accomplished by a horizontally extending slide valveplate formed from nylon or other material having good sliding and wearcharacteristics. The plate 130 is provided with a plurality of ports 132which are arranged so that as the valve plate 130 is reciprocatedhorizontally the ports move into and out of engagement with the tubes100. By proper sizing of the orifices 132 the air pressure supplied tothe nozzles 106 can be regulated independently of the blowers.Additionally, the pressures supplied to various ones of the nozzles canbe different.

The particular method or structure utilized for reciprocating the valveplate 130 is not of importance; however, it is shown as comprising agear motor 136 which has its housing extending through the divider plate94 and its output shaft 138 extending vertically downwardly, Carried atthe end of the shaft 138 is a crank arm 140 which is pivotally connectedthrough a line 142 with the slide plate 130. Accordingly, rotation ofthe motor causes the valve plate 130 to be reciprocated horizontally toopen and close the air supply to the nozzles. Although the ports 132 canbe arranged to supply air to the nozzles in any particular desiredsequence, it is preferable to open and close the air supply to themajority of the nozzles simultaneously with only one or two open duringthe time the majority are closed. One of the advantages flowing fromthis is that during the periods when air flow through the majority ofthe nozzles is cut oft, the pressure within the chambers 86 and 88builds up to a higher level which, when the orifices are sub-- sequentlyopened, produces a much sharper, more distinct air puff.

As can be appreciated, the combination of the transverse movement andthe distinct, puffed high velocity jct streams produces a substantialscrubbing action against the looms. Ad-

ditionally, it has been found that the combination of the oscillatoryand pulsed air jets produces less boiling up of lint and other particlesfrom the weaving room floor and tends to drive them downwardly wherethey can be collected by the usual vacuum equipment. The actualfrequency of the puffs or pulses can be varied however it has been foundthat a frequency rate of l to 20 cycles per second produces the mostsatisfactory results.

As is understood, any of a variety of valving or air flow throttlingarrangements could be utilizedfor producing the pulsed air discharge.H65. 6 and 7 show a modified version of the subject cleaning apparatuswhich utilizes a rotary type valving member. in general, the unit shownin H68. 6 and 7 is the. same as the unit previously described.Accordingly, the same reference numerals differentiated with a primesuflix have been utilized to indicate the corresponding elements of theM68. 6 and 7 modification and, 'a description of one such element is tobe taken as equally applicable to the other unless otherwise noted.Referring specifically to H68. 6 and 7, it is seen that the valvingarrangement utilized in this embodiment includes a generally cylindricalair plenum chamber 1% which replaces the previously discussed chambers86 and 88. The chamber R90 is formed by a cylindrical drum or housingwhich has its opposite ends closed by circular plates 1% and 196. Thedrum member 192 is supported from the blower chamber 44' by rectangularair ducts 198 and 199 which open into the opposite ends of the chamber196. These air ducts 198 extend back to the blower chamber or housing44' and communicate with the outlet openings 7% and 80 respectively.Although not clearly shown the ducts W8 and 199 are preferably shaped soas to provide a smooth air flow path. The air outlet tubes l of tubegroups 96' and 98' are supported from the lowersurface of the drummember 192 and given their oscillatory motion in the same manner asdescribed with reference to the FlGS. )1 through 5 embodiment. The onlydifference between the two arrangements is that in the H6. 6 and 7embodiment the tube sections 1690 extend through the wall a shortdistance so that their upper end is spaced inwardly from the cylindricalwall 192.

The valving function in the FIGS. 6 and 7 embodiment is provided by acylindrical drum type valve member 296 which, as best shown in FlG. 6,is supported axially within the drum 192 by a horizontally extendingshaft 268 and a plurality of radially extending rods or support members210. The valve member 206 is rotatably supported from shaft 20% bybearings 212 and 214 which are carried by the end plates 196 and 1%,

rows of openings 226 which are positioned so as to pass over the tubesas the valve member rotates. Accordingly. with air supplied to thecenter of the rotatable valve member 206, its rotation will cause theair supplied to the discharge tubes to be interrupted. By varying thespeed of rotation of the member 2% and/or the spacing of the openings22%, substantially any desired number of puffs per second can beachieved.

The drum 266 can be rotated in any desirable manner; however, in the H6.7 embodiment it is shown as driven by a small gear motor 224 which iscarried on the blower housing wall 34 and drivingly connected withmember 2% through a conventional V-belt drive 226.

The invention has been described in great detail sufficient to enableone of ordinary skill in the cleaning art to make and use the same.Obviously, modifications and alterations of the preferred embodimentswill occur to others upon a reading and understanding of thespecification and it is my intention to include all such modificationsand alterations as part of my invention insofar as they come within thescope of the appended claims.

We claim: I

1. An apparatus for cleaning a row of looms or the like comprising ahigh air velocity blower fan, means for continuously traveling said fanacross the looms in said row, said fan discharging through a chamberhaving a plurality of fixed air discharge outlets, conduitscommunicating with each outlet, each conduit having a nozzle, saidnozzles being spaced close- 1y adjacent to the warp level of the loom,means for continuously oscillating said nozzles substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of fan travel and while said fan is movedacross each successive loom, movable shutter means within said chamberopening and completely closing all of said outlets and a motor forrapidly moving said shutter means to completely stop the flow of airfrom said chamber to each of said outlets for brief closely spaced timeperiods to produce discrete, high velocity, closely spaced, transverselymoving puffs of air from each of said nozzles.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim I in which said shutter means forstopping said flow of air through said outlets is provided with anorifice for each of said outlets.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim l in which said outlets are arrangedin alignment and said shutter means includes a plurality of spacedorifices, said shutter means being reciprocably mounted within saidchamber.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9. in which said outlets arearranged in alignment and said shutter means for stopping said flow ofair through said outlets is a rotatable cylinder in said air chamberhaving a spaced orifice therein for each of said outlets and meansdriven bysaid motor for rotating said cylinder to move said orificesrapidly past the outlets in said chamber.

1. An apparatus for cleaning a row of looms or the like comprising ahigh air velocity blower fan, means for continuously traveling said fanacross the looms in said row, said fan discharging through a chamberhaving a plurality of fixed air discharge outlets, conduitscommunicating with each outlet, each conduit having a nozzle, saidnozzles being spaced closely adjacent to the warp level of the loom,means for continuously oscillating said nozzles substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of fan travel and while said fan is movedacross each successive loom, movable shutter means within said chamberopening and completely closing all of said outlets and a motor forrapidly moving said shutter means to completely stop the flow of airfrom said chamber to each of said outlets for brief closely spaced timeperiods to produce discrete, high velocity, closely spaced, transverselymoving puffs of air from each of said nozzles.
 2. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 in which said shutter means for stopping said flow ofair through said outlets is provided with an orifice for each of saidoutlets.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said outlets arearranged in alignment and said shutter means includes a plurality ofspaced orifices, said shutter means being reciprocably mounted withinsaid chamber.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which saidoutlets are arranged in alignment and said shutter means for stoppingsaid flow of air through said outlets is a rotatable cylinder in saidair chamber having a spaced orifice therein for each of said outlets andmeans driven by said motor for rotating said cylinder to move saidorifices rapidly past the outlets in said chamber.